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Friday, October 29, 2010

The Foster Care Council of Canada is hearing stories of Children's Aid Societies keeping peoples money for services or memberships and not producing results.

In a recent communication received from a citizen in Ontario (local CAS to be named soon) the Foster Care Council of Canada heard that the CAS accepted the person's application for membership and the membership fee, then denied the person's membership, and kept the membership fee.

This person also had to fight just to get a receipt (will be posted here) from the Society verifying that the membership fee was paid.

The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa has engaged in similar behavior. A former Crown Ward, Gary Curtis submitted a request for a list of the Society's members in accordance with the law, which requires a person requesting a list of the Society's members to pay a "reasonable fee" to cover the cost of producing the list. Mr. Curtis was denied the list of members (which is an Offence) and he too had to fight in order to get his money back.

Another former Crown Ward, John Dunn made a similar proper request for a list of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa's members, was illegally denied the list, and to date has not received his money back. This matter is currently being prosecuted and will appear before the court on December 01, 2010. (details here)

If you have read this and have a similar story, please contact us to be added to this post.

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General Information

Donating to a CAS Foundation?Donating to a Children's Aid Society Foundation? Consider supporting former foster children who advocate for improvements in child welfare by e-mailing johndunn@afterfostercare.ca

Misappropriated Ministry FundsLearn more about over $2.5 Million per year in child welfare funds going toward paid lobbyists, the OACAS [link]

A Visit to the MinistryChris Carter and Families Visit Ministry of Children and Youth Services [link]

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CAS Board Meetings

Call your CAS to find out when their regular Board of Directors meetings are held and how you can attend to watch and participate. If you experience any resistance to your attendance call the Council at 613-220-1039 for support.

For example: Ottawa CASThe Ottawa CAS Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Head Office of the CAS at 1602 Telesat Court, Ottawa, ON, at 5:30pm in the Gloucester Room of the Society. (a short walk over the glass tunnel from Blair Transitway Station (away from the Mall not toward it)

Simply go into the main office of the CAS if doors are unlocked or buzz security if they are locked, then just sign in at the front desk telling Security you are there to attend the Board meeting.

When you sign in, the sheet asks who invited you, or who your contact person is, just put Barbara MacKinnon as she is the Executive Director and as head of the corporation offers an open invitation to the public to attend in accordance with their internal By-Laws. You can learn more by calling the Ottawa CAS at 613-747-7800 and ask for the Executive Office.